St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-06-26
AT LAST.
The Crying Need of Police PrOtec-
ton for the Parks Attended To.

The Crying Need of Police PrOtec-
ton for the Parks Attended To.
The Democratic members of the board
of park commissioners yesterday de-
cided to give the parks police protec-
ton. The Republicans admitted this
was needed, and, with the exception of
Commissioner Bassett, did not offer any
energetic opposition. President LoTing
was rather petulent concerning the
bouleVarding of Lyndale avenue, bnt the
other members simply laughed at his
Immature. After Clerk Stevens had
read the minutes of the preceding meet
ing, the board passed the resolution for
the boulevarding of Lyndale avenue,
from Western avenue to Twenty-ninth
street. In the course of the transaction
of the routine business cOmmunica-
ton was presented by Z. S. COrSer IL
Co. ,protfering what is known as Barnes
park and Lowell park, in Oak Lake adj
dition. This was referred to the COM
mittee on designation of grounds.
Commissioner Sutherland then pre-
sented an ordinance which the council
will be asked to pass, for the protection
of the parks and parkways. 1t was
both lengthy and explicit, and was
passed with no important alterations.
Then followed an ordinance defining
the duties of the city forester, an
office created by the last legislature,
A resolution was adopted authorizing
the application to the district court for
the appointment of three assessors to
act i'll the purchase and condemnation
of land for the Lake Calhoun bOule-
ward.
THE POLICE QUESTION.
Commissioner Mills then offered the
following resolution:
Whereas, The board of police commission
ers has refused and still refuses to detail for
duty in the various parks and parkWayS, in
accordance with their own proposition: and
Whereas, In the belief that said board of
commissioners meant what they said and
would do as they agreed, this board declares
the Office of its superintendent of police va
cant; and,
Whereas, Proper police protection is needed
at the various parks, and it is evident that
this board must provide the same or leave
the same unprotected: and,
Whereas, 1t is claimed that a superintend-
ent of park police cannot be now designated
by reason of certain parliamentary proceed
ings i'll this board, designed to prevent free
action in the matter; therefore, be it
Resolved. That the special committee on
police be directed to enter into a contract
with some suitable person from date OF same
to the first Monday in January, 1889 at a
known as chief of park police: to also serve
as accountant and timekeeper for the super
intendent of parks.
The resolution also. included the APP
pointment of seven police for period
not to exceed the first Monday in Jan
uary, and to be paid q salary not to eX-
coed the pay of ordinary patrolmen.
Commissioner Bassett-Has not the police
commission necessary protection?
President Loring-It has not, although l
have been assured that it will be done. 1t is
only fair to say that adequate police protec-
ton has not been given us SO far, but think
we will get police after while.
| Commissioner Bassett-rd like to see you
| take sides one way or the other. l object to
the hiring of police as an unnecessary expen-
diture.
President Loring-I understand that under
the resolution some of our present employees
can be deputiZed as policemen.
Commissioners Mills-Perhaps l am mis-
| taken but think the protection furnished
| the parks has been disgraceful.
Commissioner Mitchell-Riverside park, at
/ least, has had no protection, practically.
Commissioner Mills-I think the part Of
| the resolution making the chief of police ac-
countant for the superintendent of parks
| well-timed. You know we have sons and
sons-in-laW these days.
Commissioner Boardman What will the
| chief of police do in winter?
Mayor Ames-Do what the superintendent
| of parks does. What's that? White.
Commissioner Bassett-Let's wait 81 week
and see if the police commission will not
| give us protection
Commissioner Mitchell : We have been
waiting three months.
Mayor Ames got on his feet at this
| point and made some energetic remarks.
| He said the police commission was some
weeks ago asked to furnish protection
He knew at the time it could not give it,
and believed that it could not now if it
had fifty more patrOlmen at its disposal.
He characterized the way in which the
parks are vandalized as disgraceful and
quoted from President Loring's message
to show the need of police force to be
controlled by the park board.
AFTER MORE DEBATE
the resolution was carried by vote of
to 4. Commissioner Mills moved to re-
consider and lay it on the table. Mayor
AmeS seconded him, remarking:
Il regard this as parliamentary nonsense,
but l support the matter just to show you we
| have as much nonsense, or anything else, as
you fellows have got.'
President Loring submitted the fol-
| lowing estimated cost of improvements